Taking that ever important moment to “step aside,” can make a huge difference in how we perceive the people and the circumstances that surround us. \u00a0Over none of them do we have control. \u00a0But we do have full control over how we perceive every person and every situation. \u00a0And that’s a lot of power. \u00a0Power that we are both privileged to have and expected to use.<\/p>\n
Pausing before formulating a decision regarding how to act in any circumstance rewards us with a quieting mind. \u00a0For some of us a quiet mind is scarce. \u00a0I have discovered, however, that the more I pause before even thinking, the softer my response will be. \u00a0Experiencing a soft thought preceding a soft response feels delicious. \u00a0It’s seductive in a good way. \u00a0It’s worth practicing often.<\/p>\n
Pausing, in and of itself, is a gift, but breathing takes us to a deeper level of peace, a level that will continue to call to us once we have made our intention to breathe. \u00a0I have written about the importance of “intention” before. \u00a0It’s the quiet action that precedes changing who we are, how we think, and how we interact with loved ones as well as strangers. \u00a0Our interactions with everyone are what determines the rest of the day. \u00a0Accepting full responsibility for every action and every thought empowers us to choose kindness more often. \u00a0Is there a reason for this? \u00a0I think so. \u00a0I think it feels good to be kind. \u00a0It allows us to breathe more easily. \u00a0It makes us a blessing to the well being of the individuals who have chosen to be part of our journey. \u00a0And I do mean have chosen<\/strong>. \u00a0There are no accidental encounters.<\/p>\n Surrendering to the truth of what pausing and breathing nurture in the entire human community, makes the decision to do both, to do all three, in fact, an easy one. \u00a0Don’t we all want to contribute to making this a better world? \u00a0I have yet to meet any one who wouldn’t want to. \u00a0The steps are easy. \u00a0Slow down so that we can appreciate what pausing feels like. \u00a0Intentionally take a deep breath and\u00a0then another one. \u00a0And quietly tell God, “this one is for you.” \u00a0Instantly, how we see and feel will change. \u00a0Our experience of the moment will feel fresh and light. \u00a0Where there had been confusion, there will be peace and certainty. \u00a0I promise.<\/p>\n Pause. \u00a0Breathe. \u00a0Surrender. \u00a0 The perfect mantra for the perfect day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Taking that ever important moment to “step aside,” can make a huge difference in how we perceive the people and the circumstances that surround us. \u00a0Over none of them do we have control. \u00a0But we do have full control over how we perceive every person and every situation. \u00a0And that’s a lot of power. \u00a0Power […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[8,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2977","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-karens-musings","category-what-i-believe-you-and-your-higher-power"],"yoast_head":"\n